Hull City will aim to sign off for the international break on a high with a win that would lift Nigel Adkins' side to within four points of the Championship play-offs.

Philip Buckingham’s prediction: City’s red-hot home form can keep the season alive

The KCOM Stadium is no longer able to attract the crowds of seasons gone by, but seldom has it been more inhospitable to visiting clubs in its 16 years as Hull City’s home.

The Tigers have taken 22 points from the last 24 available on East Yorkshire soil and are unbeaten in a run dating all the way back to November.

Had it not been for a second-half collapse against Rotherham United the Tigers would have been approaching the visit of QPR eyeing a ninth straight home win.

Nigel Adkins of Hull City

Fortunes at the KCOM Stadium are still the only reason the Championship play-offs remain a dot on the horizon. That is all they are with just nine games to play but that could yet change if this sizzling home form continues.

QPR, Reading and Wigan – three of the current bottom seven – are the next visitors to these parts and maximum points could yet see the Tigers come bouncing back into contention.

One step at a time, of course, but City ought to have too much for Steve McClaren’s side.

For all QPR upset the odds when beating Leeds United last month, that remains their only Championship victory since Boxing Day. Expect them to scrap as the bottom three approaches over their shoulder but City’s confidence on home soil should be telling.

Hull City 3 QPR 0

Hull City team news

Nigel Adkins will be forced into at least one change for the visit of QPR, with Markus Henriksen beginning a two-game suspension.

City’s captain picked up his 10th booking of the season in Wednesday’s 3-2 loss at Norwich and will be unavailable until facing Reading on April 6.

Henriksen’s absence will likely mean Kevin Stewart partners Jackson Irvine in midfield, with either Kamil Grosicki or Evandro being recalled higher up the pitch.

Markus Henriksen of Hull City

Adkins is again without Jordy de Wijs due to a virus, leaving Liam Ridgewell to again partner Reece Burke, while Dan Batty (back) remains on the sidelines with long-term absentees Ondrej Mazuch (Achilles), Angus MacDonald (calf) and James Weir (knee).

Adkins will bring either Nouha Dicko or Jon Toral back into his 18-man squad to cover Henriksen’s absence and could freshen up his side elsewhere as the Tigers return to action less than 72 hours after losing at Norwich.

QPR team news

Steve McClaren welcomes back Grant Hall from suspension as QPR attempt to stave off the lingering threat of relegation to League One.

Hall missed the damaging midweek loss at home to Rotherham after being sent off in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Stoke and could come straight back into defence.

Geoff Cameron could also feature after recently recovering from an ankle injury that has kept him out since December. The US international was an unused sub in midweek and will be considered for a first appearance of 2019.

Steve McClaren of Queens Park Rangers (Image: Getty)

Full-back Angel Rangel is still missing but should be back after the international break following a thigh injury.

Centre forward Matt Smith is also expected to miss out but McClaren will weigh up a recall for Nahki Wells after he made an impact off the bench in Wednesday’s dispiriting loss to Rotherham.

Key Battle: Kevin Stewart v Eberechi Eze

The absence of Markus Henriksen will leave Kevin Stewart with a big role in central midfield as Hull City bid to complete a league-double against Queens Park Rangers.

Stewart returned to the starting XI in Wednesday night’s 3-2 loss at Norwich City and will again take on the defensive duties in a side built to attack at the KCOM Stadium.

Eberechi Eze of Queens Park Rangers (Image: Getty)

QPR are unlikely to stand toe-to-toe with the Tigers and will instead put their faith in counter-attacking. Eberechi Eze could be central to those plans, with the highly-rated youngster boasting the ability to turn games on their head.

The 20-year-old, who is said to have been scouted by London’s big guns, has racked up 39 appearances in his breakthrough campaign with QPR.

QPR overview

After once harbouring ambitions of reaching the Championship play-offs, this season has reverted to type with QPR hoping to ensure they can again avoid relegation to League One.

The seven-point buffer built up ought to be enough with just nine games to play but the current form is not helping to keep QPR fans calm. Just one win has come in 13 games since Boxing Day and nine of the last 11 outings have ended in defeat. Problems are particularly bad on QPR’s travels.

Nahki Wells of Queens Park Rangers

Five straight defeats have come away from Loftus Road, with an aggregate scoreline of 10-2. The sooner a couple of wins come the better for Steve McClaren and his side but Wednesday night’s 2-1 defeat at home to Rotherham United means confidence will be at rock-bottom when QPR arrive at the KCOM Stadium.

Betting

A team that has taken 22 points from the last 24 available on home soil plays host to an opponent that has lost five straight away games so it is little surprise that Hull City start out as clear favourites.

The Tigers are widely available at 11/10, with a win to nil bumping that price up to 5/2 (Skybet). QPR, who last won a league game in East Yorkshire 49 years ago, can be backed at 11/4 (Unibet) and the draw is the same price with Bet365.

Nigel Adkins on the QPR touchline (Image: Focus)

The Tigers have beaten better teams than QPR at home this season and if you fancy the goals to flow again on home soil, a repeat of last season’s 4-0 win is a juicy 55/1 with 188Bet.

The first goal markets are dominated by City players. Jarrod Bowen still has value at 5/1 (Bet365) but not as much as Reece Burke, who is 75/1 with Betvictor.